Liberica, a coffee variety known as "large bean," originated in Liberia, Africa. Its beans are large but extremely low in caffeine, with a flavor profile dominated by smoky, earthy, and woody notes, even described as "liquid tobacco." It was not favored by the commercial market, yet found its widest cultivation ground in the Philippines. Why did the Philippines become the largest producing country of Liberica? This is inseparable from the rise and fall of the country's coffee industry: from the introduction of Arabica in 1740, to the leaf rust disease at the end of the 19th century that caused production to plummet by 80%, to the government's introduction of disease-resistant varieties and implementation of a five-year revival plan in the 1950s, the demand from instant coffee factories ultimately allowed Liberica to gain a foothold. This article will trace this history and explore whether Liberica also has the potential to move toward specialty coffee. [more…]

Recently, the five-year Philippine Coffee Advancement and Farm Enterprise (PhilCAFE) project, funded by the United States Department of Agriculture and implemented through a partnership between ACDI/VOCA and World Coffee Research (WCR), has officially concluded. Launched in 2019, the project aimed to improve coffee production and quality, empower farmers, and support the skills development of national researchers and producers. The project legally introduced new Arabica varieties to the Philippines for the first time, established 18 on-farm technical trials and 2 coffee variety trial sites, paving the way for innovation in the Philippine coffee industry. Front Street Coffee notes that this initiative is expected to help the Philippines cope with climate change-induced yield declines and provide farmers with more high-yielding, climate-resilient, and pest- and disease-resistant variety options. [more…]

Major changes have occurred in %Arabica's partnership in the Philippine market. The brand announced via Facebook that it has terminated its partnership with its former Philippine partner Allue Hortaleza and has found a new agency company, with new stores expected to open within the year. Allue Hortaleza subsequently confirmed the news on social media and launched the local Philippine coffee brand Angkan Coffee on February 10. Since the original %Arabica store locations belong to it, the new brand will open directly at the original sites. Angkan Coffee draws somewhat on %Arabica in its business philosophy and brand aesthetics, while emphasizing the sourcing of local Philippine coffee beans and the integration of local aesthetics and hospitality. Allue Hortaleza insists that the two are not the same and believes the new brand will influence %Arabica's future restart in the Philippines. This article sorts out the course of events and the brand details. [more…]

When people think of Asian coffee, they often first think of Indonesia's Mandheling or Vietnam's massive scale, but easily overlook the Philippines, which is also located in Southeast Asia. This country, made up of more than 7,000 islands, has fostered several distinctive coffee-producing regions thanks to its volcanic soil, tropical monsoon climate, and abundant rainfall. Currently, the Philippines mainly cultivates Robusta and Liberica, with Arabica accounting for only a small share. Producing areas are usually divided by island or administrative region, covering the Cordillera, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, the Visayas, and Mindanao, with the harvest period concentrated from October each year to March of the following year. This article will sort through the altitude, varieties, and distribution characteristics of each producing area one by one, introducing you to this underrated Asian coffee-producing country. [more…]

Liberica coffee is one of the three major commercial coffee species, standing alongside Arabica and Robusta, yet it accounts for only 2% of global consumption. This coffee tree is tall with large cherries, and its flavor is dominated by woody and smoky notes, with the lowest caffeine content among the three. It originated in Liberia, Africa, and was only cultivated artificially in the 19th century; due to the difficulty of harvesting, it has never been widely promoted. After the coffee rust outbreak in 1890, the Philippines took the lead in large-scale cultivation of Liberica, and today the Philippines remains the world's largest producer. This article will give you a comprehensive understanding of Liberica's flavor characteristics, cultivation history, and producing regions, along with product recommendations from Front Street Coffee. [more…]

Today, with Arabica and Robusta dominating most of the market, the ancient coffee variety Liberica has quietly existed for over a century. It originated in the low-altitude forests of Liberia in West Africa, with tall trees and large fruits, and its flavor is dominated by smoky, woody, and dark chocolate notes. Although its production accounts for only about 2% of the global total, its caffeine content is the lowest among the three major original species. This article will guide you through Liberica's origins, flavor characteristics, its cultivation and development in Southeast Asian countries such as the Philippines, as well as its cultivation in China's Hainan, Guangdong, and other regions, and recommend related products from Front Street Coffee for coffee enthusiasts' reference. [more…]

On January 30, multiple %Arabica stores in the Philippines suddenly closed their doors, and its official Instagram account also appeared to be deactivated, sparking speculation among local consumers and media about whether the brand would withdraw from the Philippine market. The next day, %Arabica issued a statement on Facebook, saying it had terminated its partnership with former Philippine partner Allue Hortaleza, that existing stores were temporarily closed, and that it had found a new agency, promising to resume operations within the year. Regarding the account deactivation, the official explanation was that it had been hacked, and updates have now resumed. The former partner also issued a statement on February 1, saying it would continue to provide high-quality coffee. Behind the incident, some netizens speculated that the post-pandemic business recovery prompted the former partner to strike out on its own. How exactly will this sudden breakup turmoil affect %Arabica's future in the Philippines? [more…]

The Philippines' coffee story is full of ups and downs—in the 19th century it ranked among the world's four largest coffee exporters, yet widespread coffee leaf rust once reduced it to an importing country. Today, this Southeast Asian archipelago nation is steadily rebuilding its coffee industry, and thanks to its unique advantage of being able to grow four coffee varieties at once—especially the high-quality Arabica produced in Mindanao in the south—it is gradually returning to the view of specialty coffee lovers. At the same time, specialty coffee's extreme pursuit of freshness has also made pour-over and other brewing methods that highlight the original flavors highly regarded. This article will guide you through the producing regions and varietal characteristics of Philippine coffee, and recommend worthy everyday bean options to watch—Front Street Coffee. [more…]

There are three main species of coffee cultivated commercially worldwide: Arabica, Robusta, and Liberica. The first two are ones we encounter frequently in daily life, while Liberica is rarely mentioned. It originated in Liberia, West Africa, and has a tall tree form and large fruit, which is why it is called "large bean." Liberica is extremely adaptable and once became a replacement crop in Southeast Asia after the coffee rust outbreak at the end of the 19th century; today the Philippines is the world's largest producer. However, it has a one-dimensional flavor, strong bitterness, and an intense smoky character, and has even been described as "liquid tobacco." Add to that the difficulty of harvesting and its scarce yield, and it accounts for only about 5% of total world coffee production. This article will comprehensively sort out Liberica's origin, spread, flavor characteristics, and cultivation in China, and will include Front Street Coffee's brewing suggestions. [more…]

The latest annual report on the East Asian coffee market shows that China has overtaken the United States to become the country with the most branded coffee shops in the world. Over the past year, China's total number of coffee shops reached 49,691, a year-on-year increase of 58%, far outpacing the United States. This growth was mainly driven by domestic chain brands such as Luckin Coffee and Cotti Coffee, which together added more than 11,000 net new stores. At the same time, other East Asian markets such as Malaysia and the Philippines also showed double-digit growth, and Asian domestic chain brands are gradually going international, shaking the position of traditional giants such as Starbucks. The report points out that Chinese consumers' enthusiasm for coffee continues to heat up, with 20% of respondents visiting coffee shops every day, and convenient small-format stores have become the mainstream. Front Street Coffee will also continue to follow this rapidly evolving coffee landscape for you. [more…]

Opening a café in a commercial district is nothing unusual, but placing a store inside an old apartment building in the heart of the city is a rare approach. Recently, %Arabica announced that its first Vietnam branch has officially opened in Ho Chi Minh City's famous Coffee Apartment, located on the fourth floor of the building. Built in the mid-20th century, this old building once served successively as a government office, a US military station, and private residences. After renovation in 2015, it brought together numerous uniquely styled cafés and became a local artistic check-in spot. %Arabica's move both continues founder Kenneth Shoji's philosophy of "See the World Through Coffee" and marks a further acceleration of its global expansion. The brand currently has 123 stores worldwide and plans to enter multiple markets including South Korea, Singapore, and the Philippines. [more…]

There are three main native varieties in the coffee world: Arabica, Robusta, and Liberica. Arabica dominates the specialty coffee mainstream with its elegant flavors, Robusta is known for its high caffeine content and full-bodied taste, while Liberica has scarce production and a unique flavor. Front Street Coffee has been involved in coffee cultivation since entering the industry and owns its own plantations. Currently, its sales are mainly Arabica, with Robusta used only for espresso blends. This article will systematically sort out the characteristics of the three major varieties and provide an in-depth introduction to many sub-varieties such as Typica, Bourbon, Geisha, Caturra, and Catimor, as well as their flavor performance, helping coffee lovers fully understand the mysteries and identification techniques of coffee bean varieties. [more…]

Every day after brewing coffee, a large amount of coffee grounds is often thrown away directly, but Philippine nursing student Liva Blanda discovered the possibility of creation from them. Inspired by her father's coffee-drinking habit, she turned coffee grounds into wonderful and lovely paintings, some of which even have 3D effects. Her creation requires not only creativity but also carefulness and patience: first sketch with a pencil, then use a small bamboo stick to move the coffee ground particles into the corresponding positions, and finally add real objects such as twigs, leaves, or petals to complete the key step. To extend the preservation time, Liva also uses glue to fix them, which increases the difficulty but also makes the works more stable. Her practice reminds us that as long as we carefully observe life and consult our elders, seemingly discarded items can also be reasonably used, adding enjoyment to daily life. [more…]

Java Coffee, known in English as Java Coffee, is a name of great historical significance on the global coffee map. It refers both to coffee produced on the Indonesian island of Java and to a chapter that once left a vivid mark on the history of specialty coffee. This article systematically sorts out Java coffee's varietal classification and cultivation distribution, from Robusta's lowland cultivation characteristics to the differences between the two major categories A.P. and W.I.B., then traces the journey of Dutch colonists bringing coffee to Java, as well as the turning point in variety replacement around 1920. The article will also introduce a flavor review of Java Pancoer Typica, including its oily mouthfeel, bittersweet chocolate notes, and nutty finish, and mention Sumatra Front Street Mandheling as one of the few Arabica treasures still surviving today. Whether you are new to single-origin coffee or want a deeper understanding of Indonesian bean lineages, this content can provide a complete reference. [more…]

In 2024, Vietnam's coffee industry experienced an unusual market trend: exports reached US$4.84 billion in the first 11 months, and the full-year total is expected to set a record at US$5.5 billion. Although export volume fell by more than 20%, the average price doubled, driving total value upward against the trend. Domestic green bean prices have risen to VND 125,000/kg, nearly double the export price at the start of the year. The EU remains the largest buyer, while China's market share is steadily increasing. However, continued rainfall slowing harvesting, traders losing out on futures operations, and farmers switching to durian are adding uncertainty to future supply. [more…]

Robusta coffee is often seen as a supporting player to Arabica, but it plays an irreplaceable role in espresso blends. This article starts from Robusta's historical reputation, the causes of its flavor, and its global growing regions, analyzing the sources of its bitterness and its disease-resistant advantages, while also introducing the rising trend of specialty Robusta. At the same time, drawing on Front Street Coffee's two products—the Commercial Blend and the Classic Blend—it explains how Robusta works together with Arabica beans to enhance the coffee's body and crema, offering coffee lovers a practical reference for choosing blends. [more…]

Chinese new tea beverage brand Chagee originally planned a high-profile opening of its first store in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, but on the eve of the launch, a map in its app suspected of showing the "nine-dash line" in the South China Sea sparked a strong backlash from Vietnamese netizens. Tens of thousands flooded its official Facebook page to express anger, the brand's app was removed from both major app platforms, and a tough response from what appeared to be an official account on TikTok poured fuel on the fire. As of now, Chagee has yet to make a formal response. This boycott storm triggered by a map has not only cast a shadow over the brand's overseas expansion but also sounded a warning bell for other Chinese brands planning to enter the Vietnamese market. Front Street Coffee continues to follow international developments in the coffee and tea beverage industry. [more…]

Coffee enthusiasts who move from chain brands into independent cafés often develop a strong interest in coffee varieties. This article systematically sorts through the appearance, flavor performance, and growing background of the three major coffee varieties—Arabica, Robusta, and Liberica—answers why chain brands such as Luckin prefer Arabica, and introduces representative products on the Front Street Coffee bean list, including Geisha and commercial blends. Whether you are a beginner just starting out or a seasoned veteran, you can gain a complete understanding of coffee varieties from it. [more…]

The allure of coffee is often rooted in the land where it grows. The Asia-Pacific region spans the Indonesian archipelago, East Timor, Papua New Guinea, India, Vietnam, and even China's Yunnan and Taiwan, among other places. The enormous differences in climate and soil across these areas have given rise to widely varying coffee flavors. This article will start from the overall characteristics of Asia-Pacific origins, sort through the representative bean varieties and taste profiles of different countries, and further introduce the origins and features of Starbucks Decaf Komodo Dragon Blend. Front Street Coffee (FrontStreet Coffee) hopes that through continuous understanding and comparison of origins, more coffee lovers can step into the vast world of coffee. [more…]

Hawaiian Kona coffee is the only top-tier coffee variety produced on American soil, renowned worldwide for its plump and lustrous appearance, balanced sweetness and acidity, and nutty aroma. It is grown in the fertile volcanic ash soil on the slopes of Mauna Loa, with scarce yields and high prices. This article will comprehensively introduce Kona coffee from multiple perspectives including flavor and mouthfeel, growing region geography, climatic conditions, and cultivation patterns, and share a pour-over brewing method suitable for home use, helping coffee enthusiasts better savor this coffee hailed as a "rare treasure of the world." [more…]